The Wine Bottle

The shape of wine bottles can communicate a great deal about the taste of the wine inside. In Europe, many wine producing areas developed unique wine bottle shapes that became the traditional bottle for wines of that region. As winemaking spread around the world, new wineries often adopted those traditional European bottle shapes in order to communicate with their consumers.

The shape of wine bottles can communicate a great deal about the taste of the wine inside. In Europe, many wine producing areas developed unique wine bottle shapes that became the traditional bottle for wines of that region. As winemaking spread around the world, new wineries often adopted those traditional European bottle shapes in order to communicate with their consumers.

The high shouldered 'Bordeaux Bottle' is used by most wineries for Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot, Malbec and most Meritage or Bordeaux blends. This is because those are the key grape varieties that are allowed for use in red wines from the Bordeaux region. The Bordeaux bottle is also generally used for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. These are the primary grape varieties allowed in the production of white wines in Bordeaux.

The slope shouldered 'Burgundy Bottle' is generally used for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir around the world. These are the two key grape varieties used in the Burgundy region of France for white and red wine production. This shape is also used for many Loire Valley wines.

The tall 'Hoch Bottle' is used in Germany (green in the Mosel and brown in the Rhine) and also in Alsace (northeastern France). It is used by wineries in many parts of the world for several grape varieties including Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muller-Thurgau.

.